Institute for Astronomy holds lunar eclipse viewing parties

On the evening of Monday, April 14, a lunar eclipse will be visible in Hawaiʻi and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Institute for Astronomy will holding two free viewing events at Kapiʻolani Park in Waikīkī and next to the Kahuku Public Library, 7–11:30 p.m. Members of the public will have the opportunity to see the eclipsed moon and other celestial sights through telescopes and binoculars.

Although the eclipse will start at 6:53 p.m. HST, it will not be visible until 7:58 p.m. The most interesting part, when the Moon will be very dark and possibly blood red, will take place at 9:06–10:24 p.m. Although the eclipse will take place on April 15 in many other parts of the world, in Hawaiʻi it will occur on April 14 because of Hawaiʻi’s time zone.

“Celestial events like this eclipse are a great opportunity for us astronomers to reach out to the community, especially here in Hawaiʻi, where knowledge of the night sky is an integral part of the culture and history,” said Roy Gal, Institute for Astronomy outreach coordinator.

“We love to get people looking up and thinking about our connection to the rest of the universe,” said Gal. He pointed out that this is an unusual year in that there will be another total lunar eclipse visible in Hawaiʻi October 7–8.

Viewing locations

The Kapiʻolani Park event will happen on Soccer Field 5, which is located on Pākī Avenue near the corner of Monsarrat Avenue. There is free parking both on the streets and in lots accessible from Monsarrat Avenue.